N
Niello
ニエロ
乌银
Niello
Nielle ou niel
Glossary
Thematic
Aesthetics, Technic
An enamel-like alloy of lead, copper, silver, sulphur and sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride). Niello paste is applied over incised gold or silver then fired in the enamellist's furnace. Excess niello is filed off and the surface smoothed. Polished niello cases were fashionable shortly before wristwatches were introduced.